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What can queer theory, media studies and feminism bring to our understanding of cinema's Lavender Ladies? Addressing the groundswell of scholarly interest in age and its representation, Ageing Femininity on Film explores character tropes for old women in recent film. Alongside a proliferation of negative stereotypes, like the grotesque hag or the dotty old fool, this book illuminates gentility as a key alternative. Across classics of British and American cinema since the 1980s, including Driving Miss Daisy and The Queen, ageing females are empowered by genteel manners. They are amateur sleuths, retired political figures, and everyday women who refuse to be ignored. Studying examples beyond the "politics of pity," this important book unpacks the multi-faceted relationship between gentility and feminine strength.
List of contents
List of Illustrations
Series Editors' Foreword
Introduction: Identifying 'Old' Ages - Biological, Cultural and Social
1. Lady Power and Gentility: The Older Woman in Contemporary Heritage Cinema
2. Action! Performance and Performativity
3. 'Get Off Your Asses for these Old Broads!': Age Camp and Age Drag
4. What Ever Happened to Sister George? Representing Ageing Lesbians
5. 'My Whole Life I have been Dressing up as a Man. This is Me.': Representing Ageing Trans-Femininity
6. Long Live Our Gracious 'Queens': Representing Ageing Effeminacy
7. Conclusion: Grey Affirmation or Greywashing?
Filmography
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Niall Richardson is Senior Lecturer in Media and Film at the University of Sussex, UK.
Summary
What can queer theory, media studies and feminism bring to our understanding of cinema's Lavender Ladies? Addressing the groundswell of scholarly interest in age and its representation, Ageing Femininity on Film explores character tropes for old women in recent film. Alongside a proliferation of negative stereotypes, like the grotesque hag or the dotty old fool, this book illuminates gentility as a key alternative. Across classics of British and American cinema since the 1980s, including Driving Miss Daisy and The Queen, ageing females are empowered by genteel manners. They are amateur sleuths, retired political figures, and everyday women who refuse to be ignored. Studying examples beyond the “politics of pity,” this important book unpacks the multi-faceted relationship between gentility and feminine strength.
Foreword
An analysis, and attempt to counter negative stereotypes, of onscreen depictions of older women.
